News of drug trafficking

‘No other country is more closely aligned’ – Trump envoy hails US-Argentina ties

22-10-2026 19:32 Christopher Landau, number two at the US State Department, meets Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno in Buenos Aires; Alongside Washington’s Western Hemisphere chief Juan Pablo Segura, duo announce funding to combat drug trafficking, human-trafficking and cyberattacks.

by Cecilia Degl'Innocenti

CRIME & INSECURITY

US-led coalition targets 24 criminal groups as Trump praises Milei

23-09-2026 08:49 US president calls on members on the Shield of the Americas alliance to sanction groups including Tren de Aragua, while praising Argentina’s “great victory” under Milei.

POLITICS

Milei attacks press, defends Espert after Machado plea deal

18-05-2026 10:42 President Javier Milei launches another assault on the press, denouncing a “media operation” by “trash” journalists against former lawmaker José Luis Espert; Attack comes after ‘Fred’ Machado pleads guilty to money-laundering and fraud in bid to avoid drug-trafficking charges

TRIPLE MURDER

Peru extradites key suspect in triple murder case to Argentina

04-05-2026 18:29 Suspect accused of orchestrating drug-linked killings to face court as families protest for justice.

LATIN AMERICA

Daniel Noboa’s ‘new Ecuador’ has some fearing loss of civil freedoms

22-04-2026 10:40 Ecuador's Daniel Noboa appears to be consolidating power in ways that are causing growing unease in civil society. One week it’s political parties, the next it’s the courts. Now it’s the media.

SECURITY IN AMERICAS

Trump urges Latin America to use military against cartels

08-03-2026 10:23 Trump tells a group of Latin American leaders at security summit in Miami that Washington "will not tolerate the lawlessness in our hemisphere any longer."

POLITICS & CORRUPTION

Senator-elect accused of US drug arrest gives up battle for seat

03-12-2025 12:57 La Libertad Avanza national deputy Lorena Villaverde says she has “no ongoing criminal cases either in Argentina or in the United States” against her but says she will resign the Senate seat she won in October to stay in the lower house.

KILLING IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Over 100 killed in Rio police crackdown on powerful narco gang

30-10-2025 08:46 At least 119 people – 115 alleged gang members and four police officers – were killed Tuesday in the largest police operation Rio de Janeiro has seen in its recent past.

ESPERT-MACHADO SCANDAL

US report on Machado funds poses uncomfortable questions for Bullrich

09-10-2025 01:05 US government report by Homeland Security indicates that Machado had already been linked to drug-trafficking and money-laundering in 2021.

POLITICS & CORRUPTION

Scandal-hit lawmaker Espert seeks leave of absence from lower house

08-10-2025 14:31 La Libertad Avanza national deputy, now facing money-laundering probe over links to suspected drug-trafficker and fraudster, requests leave of absence until December 8 – two days before his term in office ends.

POLITICS & CORRUPTION

Espert and Machado’s murky history

08-10-2025 12:27 How the government’s main candidate in Buenos Aires Province became tainted by campaign contributions of dubious origin.

by Rodis Recalt

POLITICS & COURTS

Argentina to extradite alleged drug-trafficker Machado to US

07-10-2025 22:01 Milei government confirms that it will heed Supreme Court ruling and implement extradition as part of its commitment to international cooperation against organised crime.

Politics

Milei’s candidate drops out of race amid ties to drug-trafficker

05-10-2025 23:03 Scandal sowed divisions within Milei’s government, with some ministers publicly calling on Espert to come clean.

POLITICS & CORRUPTION

Espert's dirty financing

04-10-2025 06:45 On José Luis Espert’s ties with a suspected drug dealer and the libertarian obsession with coin.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

POLITICS

Bullrich says Espert ‘must clarify’ drug-trafficker cash allegations

01-10-2025 16:00 Patricia Bullrich says José Luis Espert, must “immediately clarify” allegations that he took money from a suspected drug-trafficker.

CRIME & SECURITY

Villa 21-24: Buenos Aires barrio remains in grip of drug-trafficking

29-09-2025 15:43 In the Villa Zavaleta neighbourhood, at least nine drug gangs operate, fighting violently for territory with bunkers and young "soldiers" dotted everywhere.

REGIONAL TENSIONS

Latin American nations concerned by US-Venezuela tension

04-09-2025 16:04 Washington ramps up regional crime fight; Trump confirms Washington killed 11 “terrorists” when it took down a boat allegedly carrying drugs into international waters.

EXPLAINER

United States targets Venezuela over 'Soles' cartel – but does it exist?

29-08-2025 07:36 While some of US President Donald Trump's right-wing led allies in South America have echoed his designation of the 'Cártel de los Soles' as a terrorist organisation, many have doubts such a group even exists.

CRIME & SECURITY

Argentina applies new ‘anti-mafia law’ in Rosario

16-05-2025 12:49 Milei government applies “anti-mafia law” against organised crime in troubled Santa Fe city; Rosario becomes first place in country to see application of new crime-fighting law.

EDITORIAL

Clean slates – for greenbacks only

10-05-2025 07:25 At least two of this week’s main news items may be considered further setbacks in the fight against corruption. Every suspicion of a meticulously manipulated Senate result instead of free votes of conscience, while those complying with the conditions of last year’s tax whitewash might ask themselves why they went to all that trouble – a black week for removing the stain of corruption with no guarantee against more to come.

'Blanqueo permanente'?

Experts say Argentina’s dollar thirst could open door for illegal funds

06-05-2025 12:26 Experts raise concerns about legal and tax consequences of using undeclared money after Economy Minister Luis Caputo urged Argentines to take their dollars out and "remonetise" the economy – without having to answer questions.

by Eugenia Muzio

SIZEABLE BLACK ECONOMY

US$30 billion a year – Ecuador reveals size of local cartel trade

18-02-2025 14:44 Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa admits that cartels and gangs move US$30 billion worth of drugs, arms and other illicit goods through his country a year.

FOREIGN AID

USAID freeze threatens millions in Latin America

13-02-2025 13:49 US President Donald Trump pulls USAID funding from vital Latin American NGOs, public entities and life-saving United Nations programs.

BORDER ROW

Milei plans to build Argentina-Bolivia border wall, citing crime

28-01-2025 09:29 Salta Province plans to build short fence near the Bolivian border as part of a crackdown on drug-trafficking and contraband.

CRIME & SECURITY

‘Narco-terrorists’ make death threats against security minister, governor

02-12-2024 16:18 Security Minister Patricia Bullrich vows to clamp down on “narco-terrorists” after threats against her and Santa Fe Province Governor Maximilaino Pullaro in video.